M L Bettino

But the Flesh is Weak M L Bettino

In a letter written to Christians in the midst of brutal persecution in the First Century, the Apostle Peter implored them to "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors." Such action seems defeatist and certainly to our modern sensibilities, not a winning strategy for a new faith commanded by Jesus to "go and make disciples of all nations." Romans were beheading, crucifying and throwing Christians to hungry animals for sport, and yet Peter told them to "submit" to Roman authority? What? And what about these turbulent times when Christians find themselves living under authorities that rule contrary to the Word of God or worse, persecute us for being Christians? Are we to follow Peter's directions today? But the Flesh is Weak is an attempt to understand Peter by looking closely at his life and his letters, from the perspective of a surfer. M. L. Bettino, as a surfer, has much in common with Peter, the fisherman. These insights lead the author and the readers to understand how Peter came to the point of calling for "submission," the ramifications of that action, and how we can apply that teaching to our current situation, whether here in the United States or wherever we might find ourselves as we move into the world to make disciples or to just plain survive.